The Smokie band, often referred to as just “Smokie,” is a British rock band that achieved significant popularity in the 1970s and 1980s. The band was formed in Bradford, England, in 1965 and initially started as a rock-n-roll group called The Yen. However, they later changed their name to Smokey and eventually settled on the current spelling, Smokie.
Smokie is best known for its melodic rock sound, incorporating elements of pop, country, and soft rock. They gained international success with their catchy songs, strong vocal harmonies, and memorable melodies. Some of their well-known hits include:
- “Living Next Door to Alice”
- “If You Think You Know How to Love Me”
- “Lay Back in the Arms of Someone”
- “I’ll Meet You at Midnight”
- “Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me”
These songs, along with others, helped establish Smokie as a popular band in the 1970s. They toured extensively and achieved chart success in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Scandinavia.
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Over the years, the band has undergone lineup changes, but lead vocalist Chris Norman and guitarist Alan Silson were prominent members during their most successful period. Today, Smokie continues to perform and tour, keeping their music alive for both longtime fans and new audiences.
Members of Smokie Band Members over a decade
- Chris Norman (Lead vocalist): 1964 – 1986) – Founding Member
Terry Uttley(Bass Guitar): 1964 – 2021) – Founding Member- Alan Silson (Lead guitar): 1964 – 1996) – Founding Member
- Ron Kelly (Acoustic Drum Kit): (1964 – 1973) – Founding Member
- Pete Spencer (Acoustic Drum Kit): (1965 – 1991)
- Arthur Higgins (Bass): (1966 – 1968)
Alan Barton(Guitar): 1986 – 1995)- Mike Craft (Lead vocalist): 1995 – 2021)
- Steve Pinnell (Acoustic Drum Kit): (1986 – Present)
- Martin Bullard (Keyboard instrument): (1986 – Present)
- Mick McConnell (Lead guitar): (1996 – Present)
- Luke Bullard (Bass, vocals): (2019 – Present)
- Pete Lincoln (Lead vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Bass): (2021 – Present)
Ages of Smokie Band Members
Smokie Founding Members’ ages are Chris Norman (72), Terry Uttley (1951–2021), Alan Silson (72), and Ron Kelly (72).
Smokie Early Members’ ages are Pete Spencer (74), Arthur Higgins (70’s), Alan Barton (1953 – 1995), and Mike Craft (70’s).
Ages Present Members of Smokie are Steve Pinnell (71), Martin Bullard (67), Mick McConnell (59), Luke Bullard (30), and Pete Lincoln (67).
The net worth of Smokie over the past years
- 2023 – $45.1 Million
- 2022 – $40.6 Million
- 2021 – $36.1 Million
- 2020 – $31.6 Million
- 2019 – $27.1 Million
Founding members of The Smokie
Chris Norman
Chris Norman is the Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the famous band Smokie. Born on October 25, 1950, He was a founding member of Smokie and one of their most recognizable voices. He left the band in 1986 to pursue a solo career.
Alan Silson
Born on June 21, 1951, Alan Silson is the Lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the Band Smokie. He was also a founding member of Smokie. Silson left the band in 1996 but occasionally performed with them as a guest in subsequent years.
Terry Uttley
Born on June 9, 1951, Terry Uttley teamed up with his Catholic school friends Alan Silson, Ron Kelly, and Chris Norman to form a rock band called The Yen in 1965, Later change it to Smokey and Smokie. He was the bassist for Smokie. He was also one of the original members of the band and played a significant role in their success.
Ron Kelly
Ron Kelly, born on February 10, 1951, pursued his passion for drumming from a young age. During his school years, Kelly actively sought out fellow musicians, yearning to form a band. He met Alan Silson and Chris Norman, and together with Terry Uttley, they formed the band known as Smokie. Initially playing at school dances and youth clubs, they later performed as The Elizabethans in various nightclubs.
Kelly’s journey came full circle in 2005 when he rekindled his friendship with Alan Silson. Fuelled by their shared musical bond, the duo decided to form the Alan Silson Band, accompanied by talented musicians Andy Whelan and Graham Kearns. Kelly took his rightful place behind the drums, infusing his rhythmic prowess into their performances.
Meet Chris Norman, Lead singer of Smokie
Chris Norman was the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for Smokie. He was one of the founding members of the band and is known for his distinctive vocals. Norman left the band in 1986 to pursue a solo career but rejoined Smokie for several reunion tours.
Christopher Ward Norman is an English soft rock singer who was born on October 25, 1950. The English rock band Smokie (1964–1986), which enjoyed success in Europe in the 1970s, was founded by Norman as its initial lead singer. The 1978 duet “Stumblin’ In” with Suzi Quatro was a huge US smash.
With the song “Midnight Lady,” which was a hit across Europe and spent six weeks at the top of the charts in Germany (where it sold 900,000 copies), Norman’s solo career took off. Some Hearts Are Diamonds, No Arms Can Ever Hold You, Broken Heroes, Fearless Hearts, Sarah, and Baby I Miss You all saw additional success after that. Norman received recognition from CMT Europe in 1994 as their “International Video Star of the Year.”
Smokie had success traveling the world from 1974 until the beginning of the 1980s, but Norman was starting to feel the strain and pressure of continually being away from his home and family. He decided to spend more time writing and working in the studio in the early 1980s. Now, Norman and Spencer collaborated on songs for other singers, such as the No. 31 UK smash “Head Over Heels in Love” by Kevin Keegan and the anthem for the England football team, “This Time (We’ll Get It Right)”
Norman happily married his wife Linda in 1970, and has five children, Susan Jane Norman, Brian Norman, Steven Norman, Michael Norman, and Paul Norman. Since their marriage, they’ve been residing on the Isle of Man since 1986.
Smokie Members who are no more with us
Smokie Band Member, Terry Uttley Dies at 70
Terry Uttley was the bassist for Smokie. He was also one of the original members of the band and played a significant role in their success. Uttley has remained with Smokie throughout its various lineup changes.
Terry Uttley, the renowned musician and bass guitarist, passed away at the age of 70. He was born on June 9, 1951, in Bradford, Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
Terry Uttley, a prominent figure in the British music scene and member of the band Smokie, has passed away at the age of 70. The sad news was confirmed by the band in an official statement. Uttley’s death came after a short illness, although the specific nature of the illness was not disclosed.
Alan Leslie Barton died from injuries when a tour bus crashed during a hailstorm
British vocalist Alan Leslie Barton, who was a part of the successful duo Black Lace, was born on 16 September 1953 and died at the age of 41 on March 23, 1995.
Barton, a Yorkshire native who was raised in Barnsley, took over for Chris Norman in Smokie in 1986. He recorded six albums with the band, toured extensively, and played rhythm guitar.
He sang lead on Smokie’s cover of their hit song “Living Next Door to Alice” as “Living Next Door to Alice (Who the F**k Is Alice)”, which was co-written by comedian Roy “Chubby” Brown.
Their singles included “Agadoo,” “Superman,” and the song “Mary Ann” in Jerusalem, which placed eighth in the 1979 United Kingdom Eurovision Song Contest.
Barton died on March 1995 in Cologne, Germany, from injuries incurred when Smokie’s tour bus crashed during a hailstorm.
Current members of The Smokie
Steve Pinnell – Drums (1986 – Present)
Steve, born on June 4, 1952, has been an integral part of the renowned Smokie band and he has been in the band now for over 30 years. He expresses his gratitude for the opportunities and experiences that have taken him around the globe, performing at some of the most prestigious venues by joining the Smokie.
“Joining Smokie was the best thing I ever did. It’s taken me all around the world many times playing some of the biggest venues. The only thing that constantly surprises me is how things keep on getting better and better. When you think you have achieved more than you ever dreamt you could, something else comes along and takes your breath away. Yes, we’ve had a few low points along the way, but it’s remarkable how the band has always bounced back to do even bigger and better things. You only have to look at our schedule for this coming year; it’s as busy as it has ever been and the tour in November and December with a big orchestra will be the icing on the cake.
he said
Steve currently Lives in the northeast, near Middlesbrough, with his beautiful wife Val. The couple shares three children, two sons and one daughter with five grandchildren. When he has some time off work Steve has two sporting passions. He is a devoted football enthusiast, Steve closely follows the fortunes of his beloved club, Middlesbrough, who currently compete in the Championship with the aim of regaining their place in the Premiership.
Martin Bullard – Keyboards (1986 – Present)
Born on July 8, 1956, Martin Bullard is a Keyboard player who is also a classically trained musician and Unisong award winner. His work may be heard in the Yorkshire TV series “An Innocent Abroad”, which charts the travels of Hannah Hauxwell, as well as at Scotland’s top tourist attraction The Loch Ness Exhibition Centre in Drumnadrochit in The Highlands.
Martin Bullard, a native of the south of England, found his way to West Yorkshire, where he encountered the iconic band Smokie on March 7, 1988.
During a tour in Australia, Bullard crossed paths with his future wife, Roz. The couple has found solace and a place they proudly call home.
Martin Bullard is a renowned keyboardist and cherished member of the iconic band Smokie. 57 years have passed since his first musical performance as a five-year-old choirboy.
As a young boy, Recognizing his innate talent and passion for music, his parents took the decision to enroll him in piano lessons.
With each passing year, Bullard’s journey took an exciting turn when he joined his first school band. Despite being younger and physically smaller than his fellow bandmates, his mastery of the keyboard ensured his presence was felt.
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Throughout his career, Bullard’s contributions to the band Smokie have been nothing short of extraordinary. His keyboard wizardry has become an integral part of the band’s signature sound, elevating their performances to new heights.
Mick McConnell – Lead Guitar, Vocals (1996–present)
Mick, born on March 22, 1964, in Yorkshire, England, had a typical childhood filled with a love for pop music and a passion for football. However, he soon found his calling and embarked on a remarkable journey as a professional guitar player.
Following his father’s wishes, Mick completed college before immersing himself fully in the world of music. At the age of 22, he took a significant step and became a professional guitarist. This decision paved the way for an exhilarating career that saw him touring extensively across Europe for nearly seven years, as a member of a rock band.
In the late 1980s, Mick’s path led him to Germany, where he joined a rock band and lived for over two years. In 1996, It was during this time that when Alan Silson left the band, Mick marking the beginning of a lasting friendship that endures to this day. Mick was called upon to assist Smokie by performing in live shows and contributing to the recording of their Christmas album, “Light A Candle.” Without much time to pause, he found himself thrust into the spotlight as the band’s new lead guitarist.
Not content with merely being part of a band, Mick also ventured into a solo career. In July 2011, he released his debut solo album, titled “My Kinda Heaven,” which received a warm reception from his dedicated fan base.
Luke Bullard – Bass, Vocals (2019–present)
Luke, born on April 5, 1993, in West Yorkshire. Growing up as the son of Martin, Smokie’s talented keyboard player. Together with his mother, he traveled across Europe, attending Smokie gigs and witnessing their performances firsthand.
At the age of 7, while attending a Smokie concert, he was granted a special opportunity by the sound engineer. Luke was allowed to listen to an isolated mix of the band of his choosing, an experience that left a lasting impact.
Recognizing his son’s enthusiasm, Martin was informed of Luke’s desire to play the guitar.
“I think your son wants to play guitar”
Martin told
Without hesitation, Luke began taking lessons and instantly became captivated by the instrument. Some of his fondest memories from those formative years include jamming with his father at their home in the picturesque Highlands of Scotland and the exhilaration of joining Smokie during sound checks.
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Luke’s musical journey has seen him expand beyond his roots with Smokie. Currently, he tours with the talented James Bay, showcasing his skills on stage. In addition, Luke has previously served as a session player for esteemed artists such as The Shires, Amber Run, and Airways, among others.
Pete Lincoln – Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Bass (2021–present)
Pete Lincoln, the newest addition to the band, joined in April 2021, bringing his exceptional talents as a lead singer and guitarist to the group.
Born on March 15, 1956, Pete hails from Geordieland, Newcastle upon Tyne, in the northeast of England. He discovered his love for the guitar at a young age and has rarely been seen without it since. Pete’s early career took him both onstage and into the studio, where he collaborated with esteemed artists including Sir Cliff Richard, Tina Turner, and Shakin’ Stevens, among others.
In 2006, Pete assumed the role of lead singer and bassist for the iconic glam rock legend, The Sweet. Prior to that, he enjoyed a decade-long tenure as the frontman of Sailor, a band that achieved global success with chart-topping hits like “Girls, Girls, Girls” and “A Glass of Champagne.” Over the past four decades, Pete’s musical journey has taken him on extensive tours spanning the globe, from New Zealand to Greenland.
